DeWALT Joins the 'Made in America' Movement

As interest from American consumers grows in buying American-made products, tool manufacturer DeWALT announced an initiative to expand the lines it manufactures in the U.S.

DeWALT began production of its first line of American-built cordless power tools in its Charlotte, NC, facility in early October and expects the production line to be fully operational this month. The new line of products includes 32 different hand tools, 48 power tool products and 562 types of accessories.

The products selected to be built in the U.S. were chosen because they represent a large growth opportunity, according to the website DeWALT set up for the initiative, toolsofthebrave.com.

"DeWALT is a global brand with American roots," the site says. "Our tools have always been serviced here in the USA, and select products have always been built in our U.S. factories using global materials."

The demand for more 'Made in America' products has grown significantly in recent years. According to a Consumer Reports survey earlier this year, 78 percent of Americans would rather buy a product made in America than an identical product made overseas.

In addition to manufacturers, such as DeWALT, distributors are taking note of the trend, as well. For example, online distributor Kahn Tools launched earlier this year based on the premise of providing only American-made products.

Increasing the availability and transparency of American-made products helps the end-user and the U.S. economy, Kahn Tools founder and President Mark Kahn told me earlier this year. (Listen to the entire 7 Minutes With Kahn Tools interview at mdm.com/executivebriefing-archive.) It increases the availability of jobs for Americans and allows people interested in buying American to avoid "detective work" to do so, he says.